The Australia Times

Menu announced for Wine Tasmania’s annual VIN Diemen festival at Pure South Dining – Sunday 12 August

15 September 20228 August 2018 by Connie Lambeth

VIN Diemen festival at Pure South Dining – Melbourne On Sunday 12 August, Pure South Dining will host VIN Diemen, an increasingly popular annual event featuring over 100 wines from 26 of Tasmania’s best vintners, matched with the isle’s fresh, high quality produce. With breathtaking views over the Yarra River, VIN Diemen attendees will experience … Read more

WASABI SUSHI ROULETTE NOW SPINNING AT YOKOCHO

20 August 20223 May 2018 by Connie Lambeth

Yokocho – Melbourne Calling all sushi enthusiasts and spice-lovers alike, Yokocho has launched a new dish concept, Sushi Roulette, a literal spin-off with salmon nigiri that extends the venue’s already popular sushi and sashimi menu that has taken the city by storm. Set to be the perfect appetisers to fire up the palette – patrons … Read more

BAR SARACEN OPENS IN MELBOURNE’S PUNCH LANE

6 September 202220 March 2018 by Connie Lambeth

A Taste of the Middle East – Bar Saracen Opens in Melbourne CBD

Bar Saracen is the creation of Joseph Abboud, who owns and runs Lygon street institution Rumi, and Moor’s Head restaurants, together with Front of House pro, Ari Vlassopoulous. They have recruited Tom Sarafian to head the kitchen. Tom has been working with Joseph at Rumi for the past three years and his CV includes Mo Mo in Melbourne and St Johns and Moro in London, amongst others.

Saracen is a word, initially meaning anyone from the Middle East, but then during the Crusades it came to mean an Arab from the Middle East. Ironically, the Arabs didn’t know they were being called Saracen.

With Joseph’s heritage from Lebanon and Ari’s from Greece, they both liked the word and its meaning, and settled on this as the name of their first joint venture.

For the menu, Joseph and Tom began dabbling in more refined Middle Eastern dishes at Rumi and will evolve these ideas at Bar Saracen, including a range of mezze, barbecue and larger dishes, and sweets. In time there will be a tasting menu available.

In creating their new restaurant and transforming the space that was once Rosa’s Kitchen, Joseph and Ari have been busy knocking down walls – Joe is good with a hammer while Ari is better with a brush, painting the place with whatever was in his parent’s garage.

Bar Saracen is now a fifty-odd seat restaurant with banquettes, a private table, a bar that can seat eight, and window tables with stools to watch the passing parade.

A couple of beers on tap, others in in bottles and cans; wine is a short list of Australian and imported wines, with the imported varieties coming from wherever Arabs have been: Spain, Southern Italy, Greece, Turkey, Lebanon, and more, with a few pleasant surprises thrown in.

Bar Saracen opens Tuesday to Friday for lunch and dinner, and Saturday for dinner only.

Joseph and Ari suggest people drop in for a drink and a snack, a quick meal before the theatre, or stay for the tasting menu or more if they want.

Bar Saracen

22 Punch Lane

Melbourne 3000

Phone: 03 8639 0265

Web: barsaracen.com.au

Instagram @barsaracen

Information and Images Courtesy of Bar Saracen – Joseph Abboud

Connie Lambeth

The Australia Times News

Editor GOURMET – Food/Wine/Events

theaustraliatimes.com/news

connie.lambeth@theaustraliatimes.com.au

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MELBOURNE’S TWENTY PHO SEVEN

12 September 202222 February 2018 by Connie Lambeth

Twenty Pho Seven 138 Russell Street, Melbourne Review by Alejandra Larrosa/Photos Courtesy of Twenty Pho Seven & Alejandra Larrosa As the name suggests, Twenty Pho Seven never closes. This bustling restaurant serves Vietnam’s national dish at any hour of the day or night, and is the place to go when you crave something comforting yet … Read more

MELBOURNE FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL 2018 – HIGHLIGHTS

13 September 202214 February 2018 by Connie Lambeth

Food and wine lovers in their hundreds and thousands each year indulge in bespoke events that fill Melbourne’s labyrinthine network of restaurants, laneways, lights-turned-down basements, dizzying rooftops as well as spilling into spectacular regional Victoria. The Melbourne Food and Wine Festival 2018 program boasts over 300 events, which may seem slightly overwhelming to sift through … Read more

ALBERT PARK’S ATTA RESTAURANT – VALENTINE’S DAY 5 COURSE MENU

5 December 20229 February 2018 by Connie Lambeth

ATTA – MELBOURNE

Albert Park’s newest contemporary Indian restaurant, Atta, has fast cemented itself as a beautiful fine dining experience, with creative dishes in a gorgeous setting, close to the beach.

This Valentine’s Day, diners can enjoy a special five course menu, including a limited-edition dessert with a glass of Pizzini Prosecco on arrival, for $85 per person.

Choose from the likes of Sikandari Raan, braised leg of lamb, sous vide Dutch carrots, cumin potatoes and mint chutney, Tandoori Paneer and Murgh Makhani with succulent tandoori chicken, spices and a tomato gravy, and many other delicious offerings.

No Valentines meal is complete without a sweet treat, and diners get to choose from the limited-edition Blueberry Kulfi and white chocolate sphere or the Saffron Sheer Khurma, raspberry rabri and sweet baked pastry.

Every experience at Atta is made special by the extraordinary menu, extensive wine list, delicious cocktails, attentive service and the stunning setting, making for the perfect venue for a special Valentine’s Day dinner.

To book visit http://www.attarestaurant.com.au or call 03 9696 3388.

Atta

159–161 Victoria Avenue, Albert Park

Open for dinner Tuesday, Sunday 5pm – 10pm

www.attarestaurant.com.au

**Information & Images Courtesy of Atta/Zilla & Brook PR – Deveta Patel

Connie Lambeth

The Australia Times News

Editor GOURMET – Food/Wine/Events

theaustraliatimes.com/news

literallyconnie@gmail.com

SEE HERE FOR A FEW MORE TEMPTING FOOD PICS FROM ATTA…

ORIENTAL TEAHOUSE DARES COUPLES TO JOIN THEM VALENTINE’S DAY

19 November 20221 February 2018 by Connie Lambeth

Introducing a board game of truth or dare but not as you know it! Oriental Teahouse is excited to announce the launch of their new concept Dumplings for Dating designed to steer couples through a table-sized “getting to know you” board game over delicious yum cha items and fun cocktails. Kicking off on Valentine’s … Read more

MELBOURNE’S ONLY CLUB APEROL

7 December 202217 January 2018 by Connie Lambeth

Everyone’s Favourite Citrusy Spritz! The summery good times keep rolling with the announcement of some exciting new pop-ups at two of Melbourne’s most popular venues – Riverland on the Yarra River and Bang Bang at the Rifle Club in Elsternwick. In a celebration of everyone’s favourite citrusy spritz, Melbourne’s only Club Aperol is now open … Read more

Christmas Fun at The Cliveden Bar and Dining from 15th December

27 November 202213 December 2017 by Connie Lambeth

The Cliveden Bar and Dining – Pullman Melbourne on the Park Who wants to save the fun of bons bons until Christmas Day? From Friday 15 December until Christmas Day, The Cliveden Bar & Dining will be playing Santa Claus, giving their restaurant customers a chance to win prizes including a Global Ballooning Australia hot … Read more

Melbourne Launch – Argentinian Restaurant Palermo

27 November 202213 December 2017 by Connie Lambeth

Melbourne’s Palermo offers classic vibe…

Words by Celeste Iuliano – Images Supplied

There’s a new kid on the block in little Bourke St! Argentinian restaurant Palermo opened with a bang this month, with a traditional street band and tango dancers taking to the street to celebrate the launch. Named after the vibrant and trendy barrio in Buenos Aires, Palermo offers a more classic vibe than its sister restaurant, the bohemian, goucho-inspired San Telmo.

However, a few San Telmo favourites have made it onto the menu. You’ll still be able to order the beef, green olive, and boiled egg empanadas, the spiced morcilla sausage, and the morish dulce de leche crème caramel flan with salted peanut praline. The point of difference at Palermo is the charcoal fire pit, which is used to cook pork, and the asado de cordero, Gippsland Suffolk lamb which stays in for 6-7 hours. The result is a tender, slightly smoky dish that pairs perfectly with papas (fried potatoes with garlic aioli), and zanahorias (a carrot and eggplant purée with smoked almonds and brown butter dressing). Also not to be missed is the vacío, a 300g O’Connor’s premium pasture fed flank steak that absolutely melts in your mouth.

Good Argentinian wine is also a strong focus, and you’ll find a selection from producers such as Ruca Malen and Humberto Canale to match with the signature carne asado. Quilmes beer is also on offer, and will likely be a popular choice as the Melbourne summer heats up.